DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute First Amendment To Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Hastings For Food Scraps Drop-Off Site Operations
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RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 471.59 authorizes local governmental units to jointly or cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting parties; and
Whereas, by Resolution No. 25-456 (September 23, 2025), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2024-2044 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan (Solid Waste Management Plan); and
Whereas, the Solid Waste Management Plan includes a tactic for continued collaboration and assistance with municipalities to provide residential food scraps drop-off sites; and
Whereas, state-allocated Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) organics programming funds are used to operate residential food scraps drop-off sites in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-091 (February 25, 2020), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized execution of a joint powers agreement with the City of Hastings to operate a residential food scraps drop-off site through December 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, continuing food scraps drop-off site operations with the City of Hastings requires amending the agreement to extend the term and increase the maximum reimbursement amount; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hastings agrees to continue food scraps drop-off site operations through December 31, 2030.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute the first amendment to the joint powers agreement with the City of Hastings to continue residential food scraps drop-off site operations through December 31, 2030, in an amount not to exceed $29,723, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
Metropolitan counties are responsible for implementing programs and policies to achieve state waste management goals (Minn. Stat. § 115A.551). The 2024-2044 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan includes a tactic for continued collaboration with municipalities to provide residential food scraps drop-off sites. The plan also includes a strategy for residential curbside organics collection to be available in suburban areas by 2030.
Dakota County receives Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) grant funds from the State of Minnesota to implement landfill abatement programs. The County must spend at least 50% of SCORE funds that exceed the state’s fiscal year 2014 allocation on organics programming ($286,876 in 2025) (Minn. Stat. § 115A.557). Since 2016, allocated SCORE funds have been used to implement residential food scraps drop-off sites at 11 locations with more than 12,300 registered households.
By Resolution No. 20-091 (February 25, 2020), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized a joint powers agreement with the City of Hastings to operate a food scraps drop-off site at the Dakota County Transportation Shop located at 900 County Road 47, Hastings (Attachment: Original Joint Powers Agreement). The City of Hastings’ responsibilities under the agreement include program promotion, site monitoring, and the purchase and stocking of compostable bags. Dakota County is responsible for providing the site location, program promotions, procurement of a licensed hauler, and reimbursement to the City of Hastings for compostable bags. Dakota County is responsible for hauling because the drop-off site is located on County property.
The current joint powers agreement expires December 31, 2026. The Environmental Resources Department and City of Hastings want to continue operating the site through December 31, 2030, when residential curbside organics collection is expected to be available. The proposed amendment would increase the agreement maximum by $4,327, from $25,396 to $29,723, to reimburse the City for compostable bags over the 10-year term (2020-2030) (Attachment: First Amendment to Joint Powers Agreement). The existing provision that allows either party to terminate the agreement if the property ownership or use changes would remain unchanged.
Total Hastings Drop-Off Site Funding Allocations (2020-2030)
|
|
Original Agreement (2020-2026) |
Increase (2027-2030) |
Amended Agreement (2020-2030) |
|
City of Hastings compostable bag reimbursements |
$25,396 |
$4,327 |
$29,723 |
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorizing the County Manager, or delegate, to execute an amendment to the joint powers agreement with the City of Hastings to continue food scraps drop-off site operations through December 31, 2030, and increase the agreement maximum by $4,327 to an amount not to exceed $29,723.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
From January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030, the amendment would provide an additional $4,327 to reimburse the City of Hastings for compostable bags. Dakota County’s hauling costs are projected to be $9,372 from 2027 through 2030. The total projected cost to continue the site through 2030 is $13,699.
The Environmental Resources Operating Budget includes funding for the County’s food scraps drop-off program. State SCORE funds support organics programming, and Environmental Legacy Fund is used to meet the required 25% match. The proposed 2027 Organics Program Budget totals $283,000 and sufficient funding is available for the increase. There is no staffing impact; existing staff will perform the work.
Amendment Costs
|
Fund |
Department |
Program |
Funding Source |
2027 Proposed Budget |
2027-2030 Total Estimated Costs |
|
Environmental Legacy |
Environmental Resources |
Organics |
State SCORE Funding (Dedicated Organics Programming Funding) |
$1,082 |
$4,327 |
|
Environmental Legacy |
Environmental Resources |
Public Education |
Environmental Legacy Match |
$271 |
$1,082 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
$1,353 |
$5,409 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-091; 2/25/20
25-456; 9/23/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Original Joint Powers Agreement
Attachment: First Amendment to Joint Powers Agreement
CONTACTS
Department Director: Nikki Stewart
Author: Renee Burman